Itinerary
- Day 1
San Jose
You'll arrive in San Jose and check into your boutique hotel in Santa Ana. Your tour leader meets you at 7pm for a welcome meeting. If you get there early, take a walk through the city's grid-pattern streets or head to the National Museum to get oriented.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Studio Hotel), Hotel (Studio Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore San Jose city center
- Visit National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica)
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica) - Day 2
San Jose to Turrialba
Drive east toward Irazu Volcano, Costa Rica's highest at 3,432m/11,260ft. You'll walk to the crater viewpoints on gentle trails, then continue into the agricultural region of Turrialba. Stop at Finca La Florita dairy farm to learn how they make Turrialba cheese and taste some local varieties. Later at Casa Turire, help harvest fresh produce from the garden before you prepare and share a local recipe dinner together.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local recipe prepared together with chef at Casa Turire, followed by a toast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Turire), Hotel (Casa Turire (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Irazu Volcano and crater viewpoints
- Visit Finca La Florita dairy farm and learn about Turrialba cheese production
- Cheese tasting at Finca La Florita
- Harvest fresh produce from Casa Turire garden
- Prepare and cook local recipe dinner with chef at Casa Turire
Landmarks Irazu Volcano Finca La Florita - Day 3
Turrialba
The day is yours to explore Turrialba Valley however you like. If you're interested in adventure, try white-water rafting on the Pacuare River with Class III-IV rapids, or visit the CATIE Research Centre with its botanical gardens. Otherwise, simply relax and wander around at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Casa Turire), Hotel (Casa Turire (or similar))
Optional Activities
- White-water rafting on Pacuare River (Class III-IV rapids)
- Visit CATIE (Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza) Research Centre and botanical garden
Landmarks Pacuare River CATIE (Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza) Research Centre - Day 4
Turrialba to Tortuguero
Travel through banana plantations to Cano Blanco or Pavona pier, then board a boat into Tortuguero National Park. You'll journey through canal systems and narrow lagoons where herons, storks, kingfishers, and monkeys live. Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy, walk through Tortuguero town and along the beach, then boat to Pachira Lodge where you'll stay the next two nights.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Pachira Lodge), Lodge (Pachira Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Boat journey through Tortuguero National Park canals
- Visit Sea Turtle Conservancy
- Walk through Tortuguero town and beach
Optional Activities
- Evening turtle walk (seasonal, June-September when green turtles nest)
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park Sea Turtle Conservancy 
- Day 5
Tortuguero
Explore Tortuguero National Park's ecosystem today. Early risers can join an optional dawn birdwatching boat trip. During the morning you'll take a nature walk to learn about local wildlife and vegetation. The afternoon brings waterway exploration where you might spot howler monkeys, ocelots, tapirs, and possibly jaguars. Your tour leader will confirm whether waterways and nature walks happen in the morning or afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Pachira Lodge), Lodge (Pachira Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Nature walk through Tortuguero ecosystem
Optional Activities
- Dawn birdwatching boat trip
Landmarks Tortuguero National Park - Day 6
Tortuguero to La Fortuna
Depart by boat to Cano Blanco, then travel toward Arenal. After lunch in Guapiles, you'll head to La Tirimbina for a 2.5-hour chocolate tour. Learn about cacao from Mayan and Aztec times through modern chocolate making. Hike through forest to an old cacao plot, watch artisanal chocolate production, and taste different chocolates. You'll reach La Fortuna at the foot of Arenal Volcano (travel time roughly 4 hours total). An optional night walk to spot nocturnal species is available if you're not too tired.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Guapiles)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa), Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- La Tirimbina chocolate tour (2.5 hours) including forest hike, chocolate production demonstration, and tastings
Optional Activities
- Night walk on hotel nature trails to spot nocturnal insects, amphibians, and reptiles
Landmarks La Tirimbina Arenal Volcano 
- Day 7
La Fortuna
Head into Arenal Volcano National Park for a roughly 3-hour hike on the volcano's flanks. The eastern side is lush with vegetation while the western side remains barren from the 1968 eruption. Your tour leader explains the geology and history while pointing out flora and fauna. You'll reach a viewpoint for closer views of the volcano. The afternoon is free to relax, and you can optionally visit the healing hot springs.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa), Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park (approximately 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Relax in healing hot springs
Landmarks Arenal Volcano National Park - Day 8
La Fortuna
Spend the morning on an exclusive wildlife tour through private areas other tourists can't access. Look for multicolored toucans, blue jeans dart frogs, sloths, birds, iguanas, and various monkeys. The afternoon is yours to either relax at the hotel or check out some of Arenal's natural and adventurous activities.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa), Hotel (Arenal Springs Resort and Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Exclusive wildlife tour (foot and bus) to private areas to spot sloths, toucans, blue jeans dart frogs, birds, iguanas, and monkeys
Landmarks La Fortuna - Day 9
La Fortuna to Monteverde
Travel around Arenal Lake into the cloud forest region of Monteverde, one of Costa Rica's best wildlife viewing areas. The last part of the journey takes you over bumpy roads but rewards you with lush cloud forest views. Monteverde was founded in 1950 by pacifist Quakers from Alabama and is home to rare resplendent quetzals. After approximately 5 hours of travel, you'll have free time to explore. Later, join a guided night walk through the cloud forest to spot nocturnal species like pacas, tarantulas, snakes, frogs, and toads.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sibu Lodge), Lodge (Sibu Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided night walk through cloud forest to spot nocturnal species
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest 
- Day 10
Monteverde
Walk through the Monteverde cloud forest on paths lined with giant ferns and moss and lichen-covered trees. The jungle floor is carpeted with blossoms fallen from the high canopy above. You'll head up into the canopy on the included hanging bridges, which are swaying suspension bridges that offer great views and adventure. The rest of your day is free to explore more or relax.
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sibu Lodge), Lodge (Sibu Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided walk in Monteverde cloud forest
- Hanging bridges experience (suspension bridges in canopy)
Optional Activities
- Additional exploration of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve trails
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 11
Cloud Forest to Pacific Coast
After leaving the cloud forest, the drive south takes you toward the Pacific Coast with views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. You'll stop at Rio Tarcoles to look for crocodiles along the riverbank, then continue to Carara Biological Reserve where scarlet macaws and other birds are commonly seen in the trees. From there, keep heading along the coast to reach Dominical and check into Cristal Ballena, a beachfront boutique hotel where you'll stay for the next three nights. The whole drive runs about four to five hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena), Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena (or similar))
Included Activities
- Crocodile viewing at Rio Tarcolés
- Visit to Carara Biological Reserve to see scarlet macaws and birdlife
Landmarks Rio Tarcolés Carara Biological Reserve Gulf of Nicoya Peninsula of Nicoya 
- Day 12
Dominical to Corcovado National Park
Take a short transfer to Punta Uvita for a 90-minute RIB boat crossing to San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park (expect to wade into waist-deep water to board). An expert local guide leads a roughly 3-hour morning walk through primary forest and coastal pathways where you might see white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, coatis, sloths, and possibly tapirs. You'll have a picnic lunch at the ranger station, then a short 30-minute afternoon walk before the 90-minute boat return. Timing works out so you'll arrive back in time for a sundowner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch at San Pedrillo Ranger Station)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena), Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena (or similar))
Included Activities
- RIB boat crossing to San Pedrillo Ranger Station (90 minutes each way)
- Guided walk through Corcovado primary forest and coastal pathways (approximately 3 hours morning)
- Afternoon walk (approximately 30 minutes)
- Picnic lunch at ranger station
Landmarks Corcovado National Park San Pedrillo Ranger Station Punta Uvita - Day 13
Dominical
Your final day on the Pacific Coast is yours to spend however you like. Swim in the sea, take a surf lesson, go whitewater rafting on the Savegre River, or join a whale-watching cruise (seasonal). If you prefer, simply relax and enjoy everything the hotel offers.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena), Hotel (Hotel Cristal Ballena (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Swim in the sea
- Surf lesson
- Whitewater rafting on Savegre River
- Whale-watching cruise (seasonal)
Landmarks Savegre River 
- Day 14
Dominical to San Jose
The tour ends this morning at Cristal Ballena hotel. Choose from three transfer times to San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport: 6am, 8am, or 11:30am. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, so the earliest transfer gets you there for a 12:30pm flight departure if needed.
